Once I got home from Tulsa, we let Saphire out of her kennel. She slowly came out but all four legs went out from under her because she had never been on hardwood floors before. She was so scared but still you could see that she had a strong inner spirit that would get her through each new day. In the two weeks that we have had her, she has absolutely blossomed. Saphire follows us everywhere, has her tail up and wagging, and is right there with Mischa, Lily and Beauthreaux wanting hugs. She loves to go outside to explore our yard, is now running and playing with the dogs and with the many toys. She loves baths, having her still short fur brushed, and being held in your arms. She thinks Lily, our pint size Shih Tzu, is her baby. She is constantly by her side, licking her, and making sure she is always safe. She is such a special little girl who we love dearly and feel so lucky to have been able to experience her transformation.

We pray that she will make it through this surgery. I know with so many Small Paws® people praying that God will take care of her. The person who adopts this special bichon named Saphire will be getting a special jewel like her name.

Lori

P.S. Robin, you are in my prayers too. Thank you for all your support.

I'm to go there at 4:15 to talk to Dr. Miesse and bring Saphire home. Yes!!!!!!!!!!! I said home. I will let you know as soon as I get home. I am a little scared....okay big time scared about this but I will do the best that I can to take great care of Saphire.

Love, Lori

Subj: Re: Saphire is homeDate: 3/3/2003 6:03:03 PM Central Standard TimeFrom: Abichon@aol.comTo: Pup3She is sitting up and did walk a couple of steps in her crate. She has already pooped a good poop....I think that is a good sign....and are you ready for this? When I walked into the office where we have her, she WAGGED her tail:))))) although I'm sure she doesn't feel good.

Saphire was bleeding so we called Dr. Meisse and now we are taking Saphire to the emergency vet to have them put a pressure wrap on her. This will stop the bleeding so that it won't become a problem. She still is groggy but does not seem to be in pain, just uncomfortable probably. This doesn't seem like an emergency...just didn't want it to become one.

We just got home and Saphire is fine. We had a great vet who did her blood work-up and they said cells and solid matter were within the normal range. They wrapped her so now she won't bleed.

Saphire in her purple Mardi Gras Wrap

They gave her the two meds that she needed and now she is groggy and laying down in a crate next to our bed. I think she will be fine and in the morning, I will take her back to the vet office to watch her until our appt. at 2:30. I will make sure that Dr. Antey looks after her before Dr. Miesse comes in.

Yes, we all are exhausted but doing okay:) Last night after being at the Emerg. vet, she was a little sick and peed:) in the crate several times so after cleaning up, we got to bed at 1:30 and up again at 3:30 and several more times when she was sick some more. Another call to the Emergency vet at 4:00 and they answered our questions and felt like she would be okay. So, this morning we are tired and I am going to take her to our vet to watch her until her appt at 2:45. She is something precious:))) She is sitting up, her ears are up, and she is not whinning. She wasn't interested in food but will take water when we give her a little.

I know all the prayers have gotten her this far. We're still not out of the woods but she is still here:))

An update on Saphire. They have her on an IV to rehydrate her since she was nauseated. Her kidney level is a little high but that doesn't mean anything right now. They do feel like her kidney is working so that is good news. She is just sitting there quietly. All sounds good to me....what a jewel Saphire is:)

Went for the 4:30 appt. and saw Saphire. They have had her on an IV to rehydrate her and she is doing better. Dr. Miesse is there until 8 so after talking to him, he wanted to have her stay there until 7 to continue the IV.

Saphire is home. She is like a lost soul at the vet but when we put it in the Explorer, she immediately looked up at us and wagged her tail:)) At home, we put her out on the grass and she put her tail up and walked a few steps to me. You just don't know how good that feels and keeps me going. I know we did the right thing and through prayers, she is going to make it.

Dr. Miesse said she continues to improve. Her kidney levels are still high but he isn't too worried yet. She did pee twice which he said is a very good thing cuz it means that her kidney and bladder are working. He said that it'll be a week before she is out of the woods. We have made it this far through prayers....this is definitely the work of God.

I'm out the door to go to church for Ash Wednesday but had to let you know that Saphire is doing better. I will write ya after church about our morning so far:)) It's time for a little celebration.
Lori

I brought Saphire home last night from being monitored by the vet all day. They had hydrated her so she was feeling better. I wasn't to feed her or give her anything to drink so she wouldn't get sick.

This morning:))))) she looks so much better. She was wagging her tail constantly, her ears were perked up, and she was standing up wanting out of the crate. We carried her out to our front yard and she walked around a little AND pooped several times and peed. This is a GREAT!!! sign cuz it means that her remaining kidney and bladder are working. Of course, I'm in my robe and we were squatting down trying to look under her as she was trying to do her business and we were jumping up and down when she did do something. There is only one bad thing.......the neighbors may have called the men in white coats to take us away for our crazy behavior.

I took her back to the vet for monitoring today AND they are going to try to feed her solid food. I don't think they thought she would survive the surgery much less still be alive, but the power of prayer is at work and she is alive and feeling much better.

Please continue your prayers cuz she has to continue this progress. They say she would not be out of the woods for at least a week or so. SAPHIRE WILL SHOW THEM THAT SHE IS A PUPPYMILL SURVIVOR!!

Lori, Andy, and Nurses Mischa, Lily and Beauthreaux

P.S. Our dogs really are helping in her progress and are watching her so intently. They understand her pain.

I picked up Saphire and she is happily back home. Dr. Antey said that she was able to start eating soft food and kept it down. She did say that the kidney levels are higher than they have been so they want to monitor that real closely. They took off the pressure wrap and the incision looked good. Saphire goes back tomorrow. I will call Dr. Miesse tomorrow to see if she needs to be there all day. Dr. A also said that she was very subdued...not like I was saying she was acting this morning. Well....I got her in my car and the tail starts wagging continually, she's alert.....she just needed her hu-mom. Got her home and she immediately did her business.

Last night was not as good. Saphire ate a few pieces of grass when I brought her home and then kept licking the dog bed. I would constantly watch her and stop her. At 7, I went down for 2 minutes and when I came up, she was in a corner and had gotten sick. I felt so bad for her and myself. I continued to try to give her some water. For whatever reason, she kept trying to lick the crate blankets and herself some. I'm sure she is weaker today and when I took her out, she didn't pee but did walk up the three porch stairs on her own. What a girl.

I'll write when I get back from the vets. Please pray that she is still on track with her recovery.
Lori

Andy and I are home and are praying as we wait for the doctor to call regarding Saphire. We had a visit with Saphire and she looked good and even lifted her head and looked from me to Andy as we talked to her and even wagged her tail. I told Saphire that thousands of people were praying for her and that we knew that she was fighting with all she had. I told Saphire that if she could just fight a little more that we would get her back home and that she would always have love. I am at peace with whatever happens now. Everyone at Petmeds were wonderful and I told the doctors that they needed to say a prayer before starting the surgery and ask God to guide them.

Thanks for your patience and guidance. I will let you know as soon as I hear from the surgeon which I think will be in about an hour.

It's 10 :07 and we got a phone call from Dr. Gillespie, the specialist that Robin talked to earlier.

Saphire is still in surgery. The surgeon did find scar tissue, and a suture obstructing urine flow from the kidney to the bladder. They have removed the obstruction, and some urine is flowing from the kidney. The kidney appears to be functioning. The specialist said this is a guarded statement. The bladder is swollen and thick as is the uterine wall. This is giving the surgeon some trouble and he has called in a second surgeon to assist. Dr. G. made the comment that these surgeons are some of the best in the country and we are very lucky to live here. The surgery will last another hour or so but the next 48 hours are critical. Saphire is doing well under the anesthesia and her heart is great. Dr. G. said that this is what they were hopeing to find(sounds like good news to us). We asked if we were hearing more good news than bad and she said yes.

Dr. Gillespie said to let Robin know and to keep saying the prayers.

Thanks and we will keep you posted when we know more.

Lori and ANDY!!!!!!!!

Subj: Saphire:)))))))))))))))))
Date: 3/6/2003 11:55:06 PM Central Standard Time
From: Abichon@aol.com
To:
Good news! Saphire made it through the surgery, is awake and is resting comfortably.

The surgery was complicated but went well. The kidney is functioning and producing lots of urine per the surgeon. Seems the kidney has been producing urine but a suture was too close to the opening to the bladder and prevented the urine from passing from the kidney to the bladder. The concern now is that the bladder may not get all the blood that it needs to function properly. The bladder does have a history of being very resilliant so that is a plus. The surgeon said that the biggest concern now is whether the kidney will be able to produce enough urine to meet her body's needs. While we were talking to him, Dr. G brought back a blood test result and the numbers are moving in the right direction. He said he wouldn't be ready to celebrate for 3 or so days but felt good about it. He said she is a fighter....as we all know huh?!?!?!

They will call us tomorrow morning and let us know when we can visit. I know that once I visit that she will feel so much better. She has responded so positively when I am around due to her trusting me.

I work at our church all day tomorrow but will be able to go see her when they say so. You can reach me at 901-754-xxxx if you want to call for any reason.

We are going nighty-night now:)))))) I hope and pray that our prayers have been answered.

Lori and Andy

P.S. Nurses Mischa, Lily and Beauthreaux are practicing up on their nursing skills right now.

Andy just talked to the surgeon. The kidney is producing lots of urine which is good. She hasn't gotten sick so far and they are going to try to get her to eat a little and continue the rehydration since her potassium is low. They are running blood tests right now. She looks better than she did when we brought her in yesterday and they do want me to visit cuz they know that will definitely help in the healing. He said still the next several days are critical so he doesn't want us to get excited yet but that he is more optimistic.

The number to call is 901-624-xxxx and then push 2 and that takes you to a nurse. They will be happy to give you updates on Saphire. They are already under her spell:))

I'll get back with updates as I get them.

Lori

Just talked to the surgeon. The kidney level yesterday was 130-140, now it is 45. That is great. He is very happy with the blood results. He wants me to come out!!!!

Saphire is hopefully on the road to recovery. Keep those healing prayers coming:))))

Lori and Andy who are much happier now:))))

Subj: Saphire
Date: 3/7/2003 3:26:33 PM Central Standard Time
From:Abichon@aol.com
To: Pup3
Lori went to see Saphire and she is drugged, but looked up like what are y'all doing to me now. Lori talked to Dr. Gillespie and she said that things are still fine. We will visit later and will update. Keep the prayers coming.

Thanks to all!!!
Andy and Lori

Subj: Saphire-Friday night update
Date: 3/7/2003 9:17:15 PM Central Standard Time
From: Abichon@aol.com
To: Pup3
We went tonight to see little Saphie. They had just given her a pain med so she was very drugged and could hardly stand up. Dr. Gillespie spent some time with us and said that she is doing very well and producing lots of pee. Dr. G said that Saphire is such a good girl and never complains. Saphire didn't have much of a personality but when a door would shut, she would look up and when Dr. G. walked out of the room, she would watch her leave. Saphire really likes Dr. Gillespie and Dr. G has really fallen for Saphie. They are going to try to start weaning her off the pain meds tomorrow so we should see the real Saphire starting to respond tomorrow. The doctors feel it is real important that we visit her and it is helping with the healing process. We also saw the attending surgeon, Dr. Tobias. Dr. Tobias said that he has never seen such a clean and detailed surgery as Dr. Dassler preformed last night and was very impressed with the way the surgery went.

That's all for now. Saphie is still very sick but is improving. I'm going to take a picture of her tomorrow and take a teddy bear to comfort her.

Lori

Tonight, Saphire wasn't interested in the water or chicken that Dr. G. tried to feed her so tomorrow we get to bring her a hamburger. Tomorrow, Saphire, Andy and I can just have a picnic at the vet hospital:))

Just talked to Dr. Gillespie and she said that Saphire is doing great!!!! Her blood numbers are normal!!!!!! She did get a little nauseated but they realize she has been through so much and her organs are just traumatized. We still get to bring a hamburger to tempt her and they want us to visit. Yahoo!!!! what a relief to be hearing positive things and hearing the happy tones in Dr. Gillespie's voice.

She is feeling better, alert, and seems like she is ready to come home. The vet tech got her to eat a 1/2 can of cat soft food. (Here I was home cooking all these different types of food and she eats CAT food). We just want her home:)))) and our dogs do too.

Monday, 3/10 afternoon update.
Went to see Saphire this afternoon. I was sitting in the waiting room and Dr. Gillespie came through the waiting room door and who was behind her but Saphire!!! and when she saw me, she ran over to me as fast as her weak legs would let her with her tail wagging all the way. It brought tears to my eyes and probably Dr. Gillespie's too. I got on the floor and Saphie crawled in my lap. Saphie and I had such a nice visit and eventually she even wandered around the room and would look out the glass door. When Dr. Gillespie came back about 45 minutes later, she remarked that Saphie even looked better than when she first came out.

They are going to do bloodwork and if the numbers look good, I may get to bring Saphie home TOMORROW:)))) We are so ready to have her home and healing. This has been such a tough week with two surgeries but this little girl is a Puppymill Survivor who is ready for a brand new life.

More tomorrow.
Lori and Andy
Mischa, Lily and Beauthreaux who are again practicing up on their nursing skills

A funny thing happened at the vet hospital. Saphire walked into the waiting room and went to where I visited with her yesterday. The person sitting there was not me. Didn't matter to Saphie. She visited with that person and then when I called her, she realized where I was and came running to Dr. Gillespie and myself. She is very lively, tail wagging, shaking her head and prancing everywhere. Got a picture of Dr. Gillespie and Saphie and you can tell both are very happy today. Saphie is a success story and a survivor of the odds against her.

Now comes the fun part. She DOES NOT like pills and she has 4 different meds that she gets to take...some 3 times a day. She is an expert at finding them and spitting them out.

She is incontinent right now but she did not forget her housetraining. As soon as I take her outside, she pees and poops. Sadly, she will have to stay in a kennel most of the time until her bladder heals. As long as she is in the room with me though, she is happy.

Here's a happy picture:)) of Saphire and Dr. Gillespie, who along with the wonderful team of surgeons, other doctors, & vet techs saved Saphire's life. Saphie loves Dr. Gillespie as you can tell.

Your prayers definitely worked and please continue them as she is now healing.
Lori

This has been a wonderful day not only for our miracle dog "Saphire" but for the safe return of Elizabeth Smart. With so much sadness in the world, it is nice to witness miracles happening today.

Saphire and I went to see Dr. Gillespie today. She got an excellent report, her bloodwork was all in the normal range, and she got lots of hugs from everyone at MedVets. Saphire really enjoyed all the attention as long as I was right there. She is definitely my little "Shadow".

We are now home and she is bouncing around, tail wagging over her body and absolutely smiling. She is such an inspiration:)).

Please continue to keep Saphire in your prayers and please say a prayer of thankfulness for all the wonderful and caring staff at MedVet.